Aphmau rushed to go inform Elizabeth about the situation while the rest of the group took Blaze to the infirmary to treat his wounds. The nurse had already done the heavy work and then injected Blaze's wound with a serum called Zecil. The group, keep their distance, watched as the wound stopped bleeding and allowed the nurse to stitch it shut.

"Explain to me why this isn't out in the public yet?", Katelyn asked.

"It's used in the military for now. They are just testing it for the time,", Laurance explained. He knew Katelyn was just trying to lighten the room but, he just wanted to focus on the events happening in front of him.

"Remember Blaze that you should still treat this leg like it's wounded,", The nurse from before, Kawaii-Chan, told him while she wrapped it in cooling bandages since it was still sore and bruised around the area. "So don't be too hard on it for now."

"Thank you KC,", Blaze gave a half-hearted smile before the pink-haired nurse left the room. "How bad was it?"

"Well, your whole leg was covered in blood and the hole looked substantially deep-", Dante began to answer but, was interrupted by the redhead instead. 

"No...not that."

The group seemed to understand what he meant so, Laurance answered; "His eyes were purple...like he was trying to fight him out but, nothing too serious."

"If he does leave, like your suggesting, I'll need to improve his bracelets a little,", Travis added, finishing his statement with; "Just to be extra cautious. So...on that note, I'm gonna go do that. Katelyn? Dante?"

The three left, leaving just Laurance and Blaze in the room to wait for Elizabeth and Aphmau. The brunette knew his friend was stressed, seeing how he was looking around the room, twiddling with his fingers.

"Everything is going to be fine Blaze,", He assured him, placing a hand on his shoulder.

"Are you sure about that?", Blaze said in a stern tone. "Every time we make progress Laurance, it just adds another problem! Now, it seems like we have to rethink the whole plan!"

"Calm down!", Laurance snapped back. "You know Garroth is strong enough to handle all of this. You are too. With everyone's help, we will find a solution."

With that, the doors open, revealing Elizabeth, Aphmau, Teony, and a few other agents. Elizabeth's darkly expression was mildly threatening as she stared right at Blaze.

"Tell me everything that happened. Now,", She demanded, seeing the bandages on his leg.

Blaze quickly recounted what had happened in Scaleswind. During the whole time, Elizabeth was stone-faced while Aphmau and the other agents gradually became more and more concern. Once the redhead finished, the boss combed her platinum blonde hair back. Everyone was silent as she came up with a plan.

"Aphmau, what's the progress on the relic?", Elizabeth asked, turning to the girl.

"Travis, Katelyn, and Dante are with the team translating the code as we speak,", Aphmau informed her, flicking through her tablet.

"Hmm...", Elizabeth trailed off and her gaze landed on Blaze. She sighed, then asked; "What do you think we should do?"

"Me? You're asking me?", Blaze asked, rather shocked that the most stubborn women was asking him for help.

"You're saying that as if I've never done it before,", She said, not amused. "Now, here are the options Carpenter. Garroth can stay here, go to Zvhal's home, or go to your's. Those are probably the safest places we got."

Blaze bit his lip and thought about it for a minute. Garroth couldn't stay here. It's too crazy and intimidating for him. Laurance and Aphmau's home is out in the suburbs, away from the hustle or bustle of the city. But, it's further away. His place was close and equality as guarded thanks to security in the building but, again, the city is a risk. He looked to Laurance for help but, saw nothing except the same confusion.
Elizabeth was seeing this internal debate going on, realizing that she might've put too much pressure on him. Yet, she didn't have a solution herself.

"I'd say Blaze's place is the safest,", Aphmau suggested. "It's up high and secluded from neighbors. Plus, it's pretty quiet except for traffic below. All Blaze would have to worry about is making sure Garroth stays inside."

Blaze gave a thankful look to Aphmau, to which she winked in return. Elizabeth took that suggestion as the only one and said to Blaze; "In the morning, you'll be allowed to take Mr. Ro'Meave off the premises. Lucinda can gather some things for him before than and you can receive treatment as well."

She looked around the room as if she was waiting for anyone to add anything. When the room remained quiet, she said; "May I please be left alone with Carpenter?"

Everyone nodded and soon, everyone had left the room. Blaze, uneasy about what Washer had to say about his silence earlier, made sure to remain sitting up straight to address her. The blonde cleared her throat and said; "Now, it is your duty to make sure that Mr. Ro'Meave remains safe and calm during this duration of time. I'll stay in contact with you, as well as the rest of the team, giving you updates. If anything suspicious or dangerous happens, you are to return him immediately."

Blaze nodded and said; "Yes ma'am."

Elizabeth expression softened after that and she came closer to Blaze. She said, still in her serious tone; "Good work on making sure to analyze every detail. Most people in your situation, especially when it comes to your relationship, would've picked the more selfish one. You made sure that everything was accounted for."

"T-Thank you,", Blaze was thrown off by this compliment, but nonetheless accepted it.

"Now, you have six hours to get some rest. I'll inform Miss Jewels about the plan,", Elizabeth snapped back to herself usual self. "Don't let me down."

With that, she left the room, leaving Blaze speechless and to get some sleep.

•••

Garroth was woken up by the cell-room's light turning on. The bright light caused him to groan a bit but, he sat up to see what was going on. It was only seven in the morning. It usually only happens at eight, which confused him. He saw Lucinda walking into the room with a duffel bag, a smile on her face. Still a little puzzled, Garroth got out of his bed and met her at the entrance of his room.

"Get anything you might need for the next couple of days,", Lucinda told him, her grin bright and cheery. "You're taking a vacation."

"W-What? After what happened last night?", Garroth exclaimed, remembering his small outburst.

"Trust me. Blaze will explain everything,", Lucinda said, handing him the bag that was already filled with hygiene products and clothes. It reminded Garroth of his mom packing for his first sleepover. He looked around the room, grabbing the notepad and his glasses case.

The two of them left, the blonde still majorly lost in the whole situation. It really didn't hit him until Lucinda walked him out the front door that he was really leaving. He was greeted by his friends outside, them all either looking serious or amused. Aphmau was bobbing up and down on her toes, taking Garroth's hands once he came up to them.

"I'm so excited for you!", She jumped. "You're going to have a great time!"

"Cool...does anyone want to explain what's going on?", Garroth asked with hesitation.

"You and Blaze are gonna spend a few days in Scaleswind for a bit, to help take your mind off of things,", Dante explained, giving him a supportive look.

Laurance came up to him, saying; "If you need anything, please call us. I'm sure you'll have a great time with Blaze though."

"A-Are you guys sure?", Garroth asked.

They all nodded, giving him some reassurance. It was then the blonde realized he was still in his pajamas. But, it was too late to change because Blaze came driving up around the corner. He parked and got out of the car, immediately shooting him a smirk.

"Ready?"

Everything was happening so quickly, that Garroth couldn't really believe it. This was his first time outside since he's came to for heaven's sake! Now he was just allowed leave?

"Come on Garroth,", Travis encouraged. "Everything is fine! Just go have fun!"

Katelyn, not seeing any change in Garroth's courage, grabbed his arm and dragged him over to Blaze. "I swear, you're hopeless without our help."

She threw him onto Blaze, causing the redhead to catch him by hooking his arms under the other's. Garroth gave him an awkward smile, mentally apologizing to him. Blaze found it adorable, blushing a bit. He looked up at the others after helping him back to his feet and asked; "Is there anything we can do before we leave?"

"Nope! Now shoo!", Aphmau declared, crossing her arms.

The couple got into the car, throwing Garroth's stuff into the back. They waved goodbye as they drove off, leaving the base behind them. It wasn't until they were on the freeway that Garroth finally asked; "Do you want to explain to me what's going on?"

Blaze, not wanting to get into too much detail, said; "We saw how stressful that environment was for you that we decided that it was best I took you somewhere else more...private."

Blaze intentionally made the last word sound flirty, causing the man in the passenger seat to go red in the face. Blaze laughed and put his eyes back on the road.

"I'm excited though,", Blaze admitted. "I can't wait to spend more time together. I'm also happy you'll have an opportunity to decompress finally."

Garroth smiled, a pink hue still on his cheeks. "Well then, call me thrilled."

Blaze, not taking his gaze off the road, gently took his hand and grabbed Garroth's, intertwining his finger's with the paler ones. "Let me know if you want to go back though. I'm here to make sure you stay that way."

"I'm sure that as long as you're here, I will be,", Garroth said, softly.

Blaze merged off the freeway, getting onto the bridge that went straight into the city. Garroth's eyes widened, seeing it all for the first time. It was just as amazing as he remembered. Blaze saw his face light up, confirming that the team made the right choice.

Word Count: 1755